Farmers in the Southern African region are not harnessing the available technology to the best of its potential hence the consistent below average yields in the production of crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry, Agriculture Permanent Secretary Julius Shawa.

And Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Sub-regional Coordinator for Southern Africa David Phiri has observed that the magnitude and complexity of climate change in southern Africa demands a swift action to mitigate it.

Mr Shawa said this during the opening of the 10th multidisciplinary team meeting in Livingstone yesterday.

He charged that the effects of climate change illustrated by the El-nino that southern Africa is facing have impacted negatively on food production resulting in reduced national and household food security.

“These challenges highlighted call for innovative ways of programming and programme implementation. I trust that the multi-disciplinary team provides solutions to these challenges,” Mr Shawa said.

He noted that FAO had been a long standing partner for Zambia and other countries adding that the institution had managed to invest in capacity building.

And Mr Phiri observed that the magnitude and complexity of climate change in southern Africa demanded swift action in order to mitigate it.

“Southern Africa is faced with a predicament with impacts felt across all sectors and particularly in agriculture for both crops and livestock and therefore an overwhelming number of people who are food insecure. The magnitude and complexity of this problem demands swift action by countries and the region at large.

“As FAO, we are set in building partnerships and working in a coordinated manner to bring forth change and save lives in our communities. FAO in southern Africa mobilizes resources for both emergencies and development projects. About 25 percent of resources from FAO are allocated to Southern Africa,” Mr Phiri said.